How to Make Concrete Steps

In order to make the access from the back door to the backyard or the front door to the walkway it is important to have steps. Concrete makes the best steps since it needs the least amount of repairs. If the concrete cracks, it is pretty simple to repair without costing too much money.

Things You'll Need

• Concrete mix Level Hammer Stringers Trowel Broom

Instructions

1. Figure out where you want the steps to be built. Once this is figured out you will want to begin digging up the dirt. You can leave the soil if it isn't loose. Otherwise remove all of it.

2. Position stringers. These are readymade guides for where each step begins and ends. This eliminates having to figure out the rise and run of the steps.

3. Cut face boards for steps. The boards will be about 2 by 6 and will need to be nailed to the stringers. Stable the form into the ground.

4. Put gravel inside the frame. This will help fill up the core of the frame where you will not have to use a lot of concrete.

5. Pour or shovel concrete inside the form. Hit the frame with a hammer to vibrate the mix of concrete in order to help eliminate chances of cracks or air pockets. Smooth out the steps with a trowel and make sure that the steps are leveled off by using a level. Then brush over the steps with a broom to make the concrete surface non-slippery.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to make the steps are non-slippery to avoid accidents.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• premade concrete steps
• repairing concrete steps
• where to buy stringers